Rules/ Regulations of the Midwest Football League

 

1.1 The Field:

                                     

1. Regulation Field:

1. The playing surface should be 100 yards long by 53 1/3 yards (160’)wide    

2.    The end zones shall be 10 yards deep.

3.    The out of bounds shall be defined as 4 inch painted lines. The field must be marked every 5 yards

with lines extending from sideline to sideline.

 4.   Goal posts for all outdoor and indoor fields must be ten feet off the ground and the width will be

       determined by School/Facility used.       

2. Team Sidelines:

1.    The league recommends that the home team will be on the press box side and the visiting team

              opposite the press box on the other side of the field.  

              Other alignments will be considered via consultation with the league and pending league approval.

       2.    There must be a player box marked 2 yards from the sideline and marked between the 30 and 30 yard

              lines on each team’s sideline. 

       3.   No players are allowed to be outside of the box on the sideline.  Players must be on the active roster and

             in uniform and owners/coaches must on the current league roster of owners/coaches and be identifiable

             to be in the team box on the sideline.

       4.   NO fans can be on field. NO socializing by players and fans on the sidelines.

       5.  Medical Personnel must be on the field (sideline) example: (Ambulance, EMT, Nurse, RMA or

            Sports medic/trainer.

 

1.2 Game Balls:

 

      A.    All teams of the MFL will supply their own game balls that are approved by the league. Game Balls must be adult              official size of the same size and type used in professional football (inflated to 11-13lbs).   Each team is

             responsible to have enough game balls on hand.  A team can use the opponents game ball if it so desires. The

            league does not provide game balls and will not replace any footballs that are given away.  The footballs should

            be inspected by the officials.

 

1.3 Uniforms:

 

1.  All players shall be numbered 1 through 99.

       B.    No two players of the same team may participate on the same down with identical numbers.

       C.    Numbers may not be changed during the game to deceive the opponents.  All such number

              changes shall be reported to the referee.

       D.   Players of opposing teams shall wear jerseys of contrasting colors, and all players on a team shall

              wear jerseys of the same color and design.  Jerseys shall cover all pads worn. The jersey must be

              full length and tucked into the pants or reach the belt line when a player assumes a normal

              standing position. Any altered jerseys shall be prohibited and players wearing such jerseys shall

              not be allowed to participate until such jersey is restored to its original condition, in compliance

              with this rule.

 

       E.    Players may have their surname on the back of their jersey.  Players with the same surname should

               have player’s first initial before the surname.

       F.    All players of a team shall wear pants of the same color and design.

       G.    All players of a team must have matching helmets.

       H.   All players, other than a kicker lined up to attempt a free kick or a scrimmage kick, must wear

             shoes suitable for football. No slippers, boots or any other shoes not designed for football or

             turf activities may be worn in a game. The Officials are the sole judge of the legality of equipment.

             The MFL prefers that each team have 2 sets of uniforms jerseys. 1 dark colored for Home games, 1   

      white/light colored for away games.  If a team is unable to have two sets of jerseys, that said team must 

      get clearance from the league.

 

1.4 Equipment

 

1. Knee pads must be worn over the knees and covered by the pants If players choose not to wear knee pads the owner must make them aware that the teams of the MFL and the MFL are not liable for any injuries.  Every player must sign a waiver/ contract before they play a game.  This is the responsibility of the owners.

       B.   Helmets and facemasks, commercially manufactured for professional, college or high school football.

             All players of a team shall wear helmets of the same color and design. Chin straps must be used and

             buttoned at or before the snap of the ball putting it in play. Failure to do so will result in a 5-yard illegal

             equipment violation. 

       C.  All players must wear proper football shoulder pads.

       D.  Hip pads with tailbone protector and thigh guards.  If players choose not to wear hip, tailbone and or

             thigh pads, the owner must make them aware that the teams of the MFL and the MFL are not liable for

             any injuries. Every player must sign a waiver before they play a game.  This is the responsibility of the

             owners.

        E.  All players must have and use an intra-oral mouth piece and must be in at or before the snap of the ball

             putting it in play. Failure to do so will result in a 5-yard illegal equipment violation.  

        F.  Any equipment which in the judgment of the officials that seem to be dangerous to other players is

              considered illegal and must be taken off.

        G.  No hard, abrasive or unyielding substances may be worn on the hand, wrist, forearm or elbow, unless

              covered with adequate foam padding as approved by the umpire.

        H.  Players are not allowed to wear adhesive material, paint, grease or any other slippery substance applied

              to the body or clothing that may affect the ball or an opponent.

        I.   Eye/Face shields of any tint will be allowed.

         J.  The officials are the sole judge of legal and illegal equipment, and may rule on such without appeal.

 

NOTE:  If prior to the game it is determined that several players of a team do not have equipment that complies with this rule a 15-yard penalty will be assessed against the team violating this rule to be enforced at the succeeding spot after the opening kickoff.  The owner of the team will be assessed a $50.00 fine and will meet with the league the week following the violation to ensure future compliance. 

 

Sponsorship patches are allowed to be placed on the team uniforms.  Said patches must be approved by the league prior to placing on the uniform. It will be presumed that the patches are legal and will only be denied if they detract from the family entertainment aspect of our league or will be presented in an unprofessional manner.  

 

 

1.5 Rosters

 

1. Each team of the MFL will be allowed to dress up to 55 players for a game.   Each team will be allowed to carry an unlimited number of players on their practice squad.   
2. The 55 players that will dress for the game must be on the active roster and submitted to the league office no later than Thursday evening at 9pm.   

C.   If you want to add a player to your active roster before rosters lock, you must notify the league

      office and the other teams through email.

D.   Rosters will Lock permanently after the 4^th season game played.

1.6 Game Officials

1. Each MFL game shall be officiated by a crew of at least 5 Officials

B.   Each official must have a minimum certification by the State which the team plays in.  

       C.  Each home team is responsible for the official’s safety and payment.   

       D.   The crew should be at the game 30 minutes prior to kickoff and will meet with the head coaches

              to go over general rules, questions and concerns.   

       E.   If there is not a working clock on the field the Officiating crew will be responsible of keeping time.

1.7 Start of Game

       A.   The game shall start promptly according to the published start time.

       B.  If a team is late appearing on the field at the start of the first or third periods, the team shall be penalized

            for delay of game. Penalty 5 yards – first opportunity

       C.  The team that hosts the game has the option to introduce the starting lineups for both teams.

       D.  Each Game should start with the playing of the National Anthem or moment of silence. 

       E.  The home team shall provide a chain crew with persons of at least 16 years of age.

1.8 Overtime Rules

      A.  If the score is tied at the end of the second half, the officials will instruct both teams to have captains come

      to the center of the field for another coin toss.  The visiting team will call the toss.  The team that wins the toss

      will have the option to go on offense or defense.   

       B.  The team going on offense shall have the ball on the 25-yard line. 

       C.  After the 1^st team scores a TD, FG or the ball is turned over on downs, Team 2 will have the same

            opportunity from the 25-yard line also.

       D.  If after the 2^nd overtime possession the score is still tied, At the beginning of the 3^rd overtime, the

             teams will have to go for a 2-point conversion following a TD and this will continue until there is a

             winner.

       E.  There will be NO game clock, just a play clock.

1.9 Special Rules

      

       A.  Any team that is in good standing with the MFL, that is having player issues (lack of players) can

             request a 1 (one) week recruiting period to avoid folding and or forfeits.  This must be approved by

             the MFL and teams in that conference.

       C.  Any player ejected for fighting/throwing a punch at another person shall be suspended for two or more

            games per the commissioner discretion, fighting WILL not be tolerated.

       D.  Any player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be suspended for a minimum of 1 game.

        F.  There must be restrooms available at the Field.

       G.  Any team can request a roster check for any game.  Roster checks must be done before the game

             beginning week 4 (Rosters lock after game 4).

       H.  Home team must provide traveling team with all field information no later than the Thursday night

             before game.

        I.   Home team will supply ice to visiting team.